thetorydiary

The Conservative Party must continue to expose Labour's record on extremism

It was very unfortunate that there was one factual error in David Cameron's questioning of Gordon Brown at PMQs yesterday. I hope a review of how PMQs are prepared is underway and lessons are being learnt.

The error should not and must not, however, deflect David Cameron from continuing to pursue how taxpayers' funds are used and misused by extremist organisations.  Paul Goodman MP recently noted a worrying shift away from Labour's stated position that it would not sit down with extremist organisations.  The real scandal - again identified by Paul Goodman - is that ministers are simply not keeping track of taxpayers' money intended to combat extremism.

The stubborn fact at the heart of the last 24 hours is that Labour appears to see no intrinsic problem in a charity controlled by Hizb-ut-Tahrir running schools.  And what about the issue raised on Monday by Robin Simcox - the deluge of Iranian money into UK universities to, for example, celebrate the life of Ayatollah Khomeini?

The radicalisation of large numbers of people within British society is a problem that Labour has failed to address.

Tim Montgomerie

David Cameron tackles Brown over Government funding of Islamic extremists at PMQs

12.02 Gordon Brown begins by paying tribute to the latest casualty in Afghanistan and PC Bill Barker who died in the course of duties during the Cumbria flooding - as well as the emergency services for their efforts.

12.05 David Cameron echoes the Prime Minister's tributes. He asks how quickly a temporary bridge could be put up in affected part of Cumbria.

12.06 Brown say it could be done "fairly quickly" and hopes to give further information later.

12.07 Cameron wants everything done in the run up to Christmas to make the lives easier of those affected by the flooding.

12.08 Brown says the Government is doing "everything in our power" to do that.

12.09 Cameron asks about the extremist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, which the Government has failed to ban and wants to know it hasn't had any public money. Brown cannot give that assurance. Cameron then reveals that £113,000 has been given to a foundation to which they are linked which was involved in setting up a school. Brown says he will look into it. * Scroll down for additional note on the issue

12.10 Cameron insists the foundation is a front for Hizb ut-Tahrir and that Michael Gove wrote to the education minister about it last week and that the Government should have known about it.  He demands a bigger inquiry into how things like this can happen.

12.14 Cameron raises the matter of another organisation [Islam4UK] he wants to see banned. When will the Government get a grip on this issue?

12.15 Brown says Cameron will regret some of the accusations he has made this morning and that the Government is doing "everything in its power" to deal with the terrorist threat and that proscription should be based on hard evidence of threatened violence.

12.16 Nick Clegg wants the Chilcot Inquiry to be able to publish all information relevant to the inquiry save information relating to national security. Brown says it is a matter for the inquiry. Clegg says that Whitehall departments will have acts of vetoes and that the inquiry is being suffocated on day one by "the Government's shameful culture of secrecy". Brown says that Chilcot and his team are happy with the terms as far as he is aware.

12.20 Tory backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack asks when the PM realised he was infallible! Brown says he's doing a better job at handling the recession etc than the Conservatives would.

12.23 Labour backbencher Parmjit Dhanda responds to Cameron's questions by saying that the advice of ACPO is crucial in deciding on procsription. Brown agrees and somehow manages to bring Tory policy on inheritance tax into his answer.

12.31 In response to a question from Lib Dem Evan Harris, Gordon Brown says the Act of Succession is "outdated" and wants consultation across the Commonwealth on its future.

Verdict:

"Cameron asked a couple of statesmanlike questions relating to the flooding before making some robust challenges about government money being directed to those extremist organisations. Brown was on the hop and I imagine there will be serious questions asked back at the DCSF as to why no-one acted on Michael Gove's letter."

* The party later issued the following statement explaining the situation, in relation to the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation (ISF) which it describes as "an organisation with close links to Hizb-ut-Tahrir" and that how it has been allowed to run schools and receive public funding for its activities:

"All schools are supposed to be registered with the Department for Children, Schools and Families but there is no record of the ISF school in Haringey being registered. The Prime Minister indicated today that both schools have been inspected but there is no evidence that Ofsted have inspected the Haringey school. Shadow Children’s Secretary Michael Gove has asked parliamentary questions about the matter and last week wrote to Children’s Secretary Ed Balls. He also wrote to Haringey Council and the Charity Commission. Haringey council and the Charity Commission sent holding replies, Ed Balls has not yet replied."

Jonathan Isaby

Live PMQs blog from noon 3pm

Highlights, not verbatim:

3.30pm: Gerald Howarth ends PMQs with an encouragement to the Prime Minister to do more to convince the British people that our troops are not dying in vain.

3.28pm: Ex-Tory MP Andrew Pelling invites Brown to give the British people a referendum on Europe. Brown takes the obvious opportunity to make his (illegitimate) 'Cameron has broken his cast-iron commitment and can't ever be trusted again' argument.

3.25pm: Andrew Mackay asks about childcare vouchers for working women. Brown replies by saying no government has ever done more for childcare. [Background on controversy here.]

3.22pm: Tim Loughton MP asks the Prime Minister about the difficulties local authorities are having in retaining social services staff with responsibility for looking after at-risk children. Brown completely fails to answer the question.

3.20pm: Far left Labour MP Alan Simpson backs Brown on Tobin Tax. The PM jokes that this is the first time the honourable gentleman has ever backed his economic policy.  [Ed: That fact should make Bown think!].

3.18pm: We don't get to Nick Clegg until 18 minutes into PMQs. The LibDem leader then asks about controversial changes to housing allowances.

Cameron says Kelly reforms must be accepted in full at a PMQs noticeable for John Bercow's insistence that Brown stops the party political answers

TIM MONTGOMERIE'S VERDICT: A sobre PMQs because of the tragic death of five British servicemen in Afghanistan. Lots of questions from backbenchers as well as Cameron and Clegg on Afghanistan and they were overwhelmingly hostile to the campaign. An assertive John Bercow twice instructed the Prime Minister to avoid making partisan points but Brown still managed to repeatedly tease the Tory leader about his cast-iron Lisbon commitment. I think three Labour backbenchers asked about Tory councils. Linking David Cameron to the performance of Conservative councils must be a new Labour tactic. Cameron used PMQs to affirm his belief that Kelly must be implemented in full. The other two party leaders agreed. 

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.30pm Tory MP Ian Taylor urges Brown to listen to scientific advise and NOT "shoot the messenger". Mr Brown says that the Government will always listen to scientists but they must not issue conflicting advice.

12.28pm: Brown suggests that Cameron's "iron-cast" guarantees aren't worth much. On Monday Cameron made an "iron-cast" commitment to the NHS. Voters will have to decide what this means.

12.26pm: Gordon Brown agrees that reserved seats at PMQs for members of the armed forces would be a good thing.

12.24pm: Tory MP for Monmouth David Davies calls on the Prime Minister to publish more information on soldiers who are losing limbs and suffering serious injuries in Afghanistan.

12.15pm: Nick Clegg says mission in Afghanistan is in trouble because the government of the country is illegitimate and the international community has no clear plan.

12.12pm: David Blunkett asks the Prime Minister what he thinks of Cameron's cast-iron guarantee turning to plywood. The Speaker warns Brown to answer for Government business and Brown insists Labour promises will be reliable.

12.09pm: Cameron says Kelly must be accepted in full. MPs must not vote ever again on their pay and expenses. Brown agrees and calls for Kelly to be implemented quickly.

Cameron bashes Brown on TA u-turn and Britain's deep recession at PMQs

VERDICT: Forgettable PMQs but a win nonetheless for David Cameron. He bashed Brown successfully on his TA u-turn and the fact that Britain's recession has been so deep and long.

And my Tweet of #pmqs:

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.23pm: In a question from David Evennett MP Gordon Brown confirms that the Government will support Tony Blair if a position of EU President is created.

Funny Tweet from Kevin Maguire!!

12.13pm: Nick Clegg asks about Labour's green record. He criticises Brown for getting all his MPs to vote against the 10/10 campaign. Brown says Britain has met its Kyoto targets. He says LibDem opposition to nuclear power and LibDem councils' opposition to planning permission for renewable projects invalidates the LibDems' green credentials.

12.10pm: How can Brown, Cameron continues, claim Britain is best placed to weather the recession when our recession has been the deepest and longest in our modern history and when our economy is smaller than Italy's? Brown replies by saying that the Tories are wrong on Northern Rock, wrong on the fiscal stimulus and wrong on helping homeowners.

12.06pm: Cameron again invites Brown to admit that he hasn't abolished boom and bust and draws attention to the fact that Britain is in a longer and deeper recession than predicted. Brown claimed in the past, Cameron continues, that Britain would lead the world out of recession but Germany and France are already out of recession. Brown says the Tories have policies that would keep Britain in recession longer. He claims that Northern Rock would not exist if the Tories had had their way. Every single country in Europe is against the Tory policy on the fiscal stimulus, says Brown.

12.05pm: Cameron says you can't cut the TA when you are at war. He describes the u turn as "humiliating". Why does the Prime Minister keep getting it wrong, he asks? It is the Leader of the Opposition that is wrong on the economy and other big issues replies Brown.

12.02pm: David Cameron begins by welcoming Gordon Brown's u-turn on TA training. He credits questions from Tory and Labour MPs and his own questioning at PMQs. Brown responds with long lists of what the Government has been spending on defence.

David Cameron suggests that the CWU is capitalising on a weak Prime Minister and a weak Government at PMQs

Jonathan Isaby's verdict: "A relatively low key PMQs, in a chamber which even contained a few empty places. David Cameron rightfully accused the Government of weakness, and - as if to demonstrate that - Brown gave straight answers to few, if any, of the questions from Tory MPs."

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.28pm Tory MP Richard Ottaway raises his concern (re assisted suicide) that the DPP is effectively writing the law. Brown says that the law is settled by Parliament and that interpretation of it has to be in line with the law.

12.21pm Wellingborough Conservative MP Peter Bone says we'll be paying £4 billion more to the EU next year due to losing the rebate negotiated by Thatcher and surrendered by Labour - is this the price we are paying for Tony Blair to become European President? Brown replies by parrotting the line about 3 million jobs depending on the EU and does not refer to Blair.

12.18pm Tory MP Graham Brady complains that his constituents are paying more tax to allow Scottish councils to freeze their council tax. Brown's reply fails to address his question at all.

12.12pm Nick Clegg wants the big banks split up and asks if Mervyn King was wrong in what he said last night. Brown fails to address that direct question. Clegg says the banks are increasingly operating like a cartel and paying themselves bonuses, and suggests imposing an additional tax on taxpayer-owned banks' profits. Brown says Clegg is wrong.

12.10pm Cameron says Brown needs to show leadership, backbone and courage - of which he has none to offer. Brown recites in response a list of things on which he says the Tories have been wrong and failed to show leadership.

12.08pm Cameron reminds the Commons that the Labour Party is reliant on the CWU for funds. He quotes a business minister as having accepted a connection between dropping the bill and increased union militancy: isn't it true that the union can seek a weak PM and a weak Government?

12.05pm Cameron asks why the bill to part-privatise the Royal Mail has not come back from the Lords. Brown say there is no commercial buyer for it, and that that is irrelevant to the dispute in any case. Cameron says it is nonsense and that the bill has been stopped because Labour backbenchers won't support it - why won't he admit that? Brown refuses to address the direct question. Cameron says the Tories will support the bill and says that the PM can't give a straight answer to a straight question. He points out that union militancy has got worse since the bill was dropped.

12.04pm David Cameron raises the planned postal strikes and asks Brown to condemn the strikes. Brown says the strikes would be counterproductive and urges negotiation and mediation.

12.02pm Tory MP Crispin Blunt raises the issue of TA training. Brown claims that anyone going to Afghanistan will "secure the training necessary".

12pm Gordon Brown lists his engagements and also says we are approaching a stage where policing and justice powers can be devolved to Northern Ireland.

Jonathan Isaby

A sombre and subdued first PMQs of the new term

Jonathan Isaby's verdict: A very subdued first PMQs of the term, although David Cameron made important points about the potential reduction in training for TA members going to Afghanistan - something of which I doubt we have heard the last...

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.33 PMQs overruns somewhat and concludes with 1922 committee chairman Sir Michael Spicer asking the PM if he will be soldiering on until the end. Brown insists so, saying he has a programme for government.

12.24 Tory MP Peter Bottomley asks about the secret injunction against the Guardian from reporting certain parliamentary proceedings. Brown says that he hopes progress can be made to clear up an "unfortunate area of the law".

12.23 Left wing Labour MP Dave Anderson calls on Lord Mandelson to stop attacking the CWU over the proposed Royal Mail strike.  

12.19 Clegg repeats his concerns about the legitimacy about the flawed election and calls on Karzai to form a government of national unity if he is declared President.

12.16 Nick Clegg echoes the tributes to the fallen and says many people in the country question our presence in Afghanistan and wants Brown to explains clearly why we are there backing the Afghan Government. Brown replies that no-on can be satisfied with what happened in the elections there and says that a million votes are being examined and suggests Clegg waits until the Electoral Commission has made a pronouncement. But he says it was a tribute to our forces that the elections took place and ads that we are in Afghanistan to protect the streets of Britain.

12.13 Cameron expresses concern that basic training for TA members is being cut and says that it has to stop. Brown say that the Defence Secretary was reassuring him that the TA was properly resourced when Cameron caught them chatting during his question.

12.12 On the TA, Cameron raises the case of a TA officer who will only be paid for half of his training days and asks Brown to agree that insufficient training would be "totally unacceptable". Brown says he will look into it.

12.11 Cameron then raises mental scars of veterans and wants to see regular long term contact with them. Brown says that there is a minister for veterans whose job it is to oversee this.

12.09 Cameron wants to know more about helping injured servicemen as they grow older and the role of and support for recovery centres. Brown pays tribute to their work and says he has seen at first hand the work at Selly oak and that he wants to see more investment at Headley Court.

12.06 David Cameron reiterates the PM's tribute to the fallen servicemen and asks for a fundamental re-examination of the military covenant. Brown says it has been an especially difficult summer for the armed forces, but says that he will be shortly announcing extra measures to protect troops in Afghanistan in his statement at 12.30pm. He say he is happy to look at any further suggestions which are forthcoming.

12.04 Tory MP Ann Winterton asks about the Lisbon Treaty and whether it is right that Brown would have to adhere to promoting European interests over British interests if it comes into force. Brown says not.

12.00 Gordon Brown begins by calling for a pause to pay full respects to those servicemen who have died in Afghanistan during the recess and proceeds to name all 37 or them. A sombre opening to proceedings.

Jonathan Isaby

Helicopters for Afghanistan dominates last PMQs before recess

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.21pm: Nick Clegg asked about why Brown had failed to cap city bonuses, have a proper debate on party funding and had blocked action to sack discredited MPs. Brown urges the Liberal Democrat leader to go away for the summer and come up with some ideas to help the economy.

12.19pm: Brown sits down after answering DC's last question.  50% of PMQs was taken up by Cameron-Brown exchanges.

12.15pm: David Cameron asks why only 30 UK helicopters are in Afghanistan when the British military has 200/250 [can't remember how many he said].  The Tory leader also urges the Prime Minister to publish the Gray report into helicopters in full. We are on our fourth Defence Secretary in as many years, we have two part-time procurement ministers and the Defence Secretary is one of the most junior in the Cabinet.  Brown says that he would have hoped that the Afghan mission could have been kept above party politics.

12.14pm: Speaker Bercow urges the Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister to shorten their questions and answers as Cameron gets up to ask only his fourth question.

12.10pm: Cameron says that there may be 60% more helicopters but the increase has not been proportionate to the increase in troops. He quotes other military figures including Lord Guthrie's suggestion that more helicopters would have reduced the roadside death toll. He invites the Prime Minister to admit that the 2004 cut in the helicopter budget was a mistake. Brown says the Brigadier on the ground assures him that he has enough equipment. Defence spending is up, says Brown. The key challenge is to get more Afghan troops ready to shoulder the burden.  Merlin helicopters will be in theatre by the end of the year.

12.07pm: The Conservative leader turns to specific questions about the number of helicopters. Will the Prime Minister accept that there are insufficient helicopters?  Mr Brown replies by saying that more helicopters would not have stopped last week's tragic losses and he quotes a British officer on the ground who says that troops have "sufficient" numbers.

12.04pm David Cameron uses his first question to ask for a tighter definition of our mission in Afghanistan. Greater urgency and more visible progress is now needed, he says, if confidence in Britain and Afghanistan is to be maintained. Gordon Brown replies that the purpose of our mission is very clear: To stop terrorism coming to the streets of Britain.  It's not just a British-military led option but also about building up Afghanistan's own troops and providing reconstruction.

Low key PMQs with Hague quizzing Harman on spending

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.32pm: In a reply to a question from Richard Ottaway MP Harriet Harman is forced to concede - contrary to an undertaking from Gordon Brown a year ago - that this will be another Labour government that leaves office with unemployment higher than when it came to power (if, indeed, it leaves office next year). 

12.24pm: John Maples asks Harriet Harman to reassure his constituents that Afghanistan was still a winnable war.  The Leader of the House replies with general statement on the number of children in education and that troops are necessary to ensure August's presidential election is successful.

12.19pm: Vince Cable asks how the Government can expect lower paid public sector workers to accept pay restraint when two-thirds of senior civil servants are getting large bonuses.  In his second question he invites Ms Harman to say that bonuses in the state owned banks are completely unacceptable.  The Deputy Labour Leader dodges the question by promising that the Government will not tolerate wreckless behaviour among bankers.

12.15pm: Mr Hague accuses the Government of being "deeply out of touch" for denying that capital expenditure is being cut and unemployment is rising.  The blame lies, he says, with a "discredited" government that spent out during the boom years.  Ms Harman says Labour did not waste the good years but invested in school buildings and repaid debt.

12.10pm: In his second question Hague asks Harriet Harman to put the Prime Minister's 'zero % rise' remark into plain English.  Ms Harman attacks the Tories for wanting to cut spending now and pokes fun at George Osborne for his remark that he only spends 40% of his time on being Shadow Chancellor. Mr Hague says he regrets that the Honourable Lady isn't spending 100% of her time answering his questions.

12.07pm: William Hague asks if enough investment is going into Britain's armed forces.  Labour's Deputy Leader leads the investments that she says are being made.

With Brown at the G8 in Italy it will be Harman Versus Hague.

Brown makes "zero % rise" gaffe

EDITOR'S VERDICT:

• Another poor performance from Gordon Brown. He's still dishonestly defending the indefensible on his spending cuts. His talk of a "zero %" rise was laughable.
• After last week's snappier PMQs under John Bercow we were back to the leaders' questions and answers dominating.
  

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.16pm: Nick Clegg accuses the Prime Minister of denying the truth about the long term savings that are going to be necessary in state spending.  He goes on to say that Trident is one necessary saving and should not be renewed.  Brown says Labour already has a deficit reduction strategy that includes more asset sales and a higher rate of tax for top earners.  The Prime Minister repeats his position that Trident will be renewed.

12.14pm: Cameron concludes by saying that there are three things that are now very clear: Labour (1) plans cuts in capital spending, (2) plans cuts in current spending, and (3) can't be honest with voters about any of this.

12.12pm: Describing the Prime Minister's performance as "feeble" - after he accused the Conservatives of wanting to increase unemployment - David Cameron says the only person he wants to add to the dole queue is the Prime Minister himself.  Brown twice dodges David Cameron's invitation to say whether there will be a spending statement before the election. 

David Cameron and Gordon Brown exchange accusation and counter-accusation on spending at an unedifying PMQs

Jonathan Isaby's verdict: Speaker Bercow intervened a number of times to call for order, citing that the public don't like it, which suggests that he intends trying to clamp down on cat-calling and disorder during PMQs. The public probably will not have found today's exchanges between David Cameron and Gordon Brown especially edifying either, as they exchanged statistics and accused each other of not telling the truth...   

12.28 Speaker Bercow intervenes on a Labour MP trying to attack Tory spending plans by reminding the House that the Prime Minister is not responsible for Opposition policy.

12.20 Labour MP Martin Salter (who was unofficially in charge of Bercow's campaign for his Speakership) prefaces a question by emphasising the need for the whole House to get behind him.

12.17 Daniel Kawczynski accuses Brown of insulting the President of Poland by attacking the Polish Law and Justice Party of which he is a member; Brown says he has good relations with the man and that the Tories should question the policies of some of their partners in Europe.

12.15 James Duddridge asks specifically if Brown has had contact in any way with Damian McBride; Brown (as last week) says no.

12.14 Clegg accuses Brown of dressing up spending as "investment".

12.14 The Speaker calls for order for a third time.

Brown lies, lies and lies at PMQs about spending

EDITORIAL VERDICT: Has anyone told Brown that it's best to stop digging when you are in a hole? Today at PMQs he made a fool of himself. He repeated the line that has been discredited over the last week that the choice for voters was between Tory cuts and Labour investment. He constantly refused to answer David Cameron's question on Labour's planned real cuts.

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.27pm: In reply to a question from Lee Scott MP, Brown says the Government has not received informal briefings from Damian McBride.

12.22pm: Tory John Randall asks if the Department of Transport is compiling dossiers on people who oppose the Heathrow third runway.  Brown says he knows of no such exercise.  [I'll call Mr Randall's office and see what he might be getting at].

12.18pm: Nick Clegg asks two questions about financial regulation.

12.15pm: People know they have a Prime Minister who wasn't elected, says the Conservative leader, who can't be straight with people and doesn't even tell 10% of the truth.  Brown repeats his line that the Conservatives are the party of the few, not the many, and not the party of investment,

12.12pm: Does Brown believe that voters are so stupid that he thinks voters won't notice that spending will fall after debt interest has been taken into account, Cameron says?  That is why the Prime Minister is distrusted, Cameron continues.  Brown's problem is that he isn't straight with people and if he can't be straight with people then he isn't worthy to be Prime Minister.

12.09pm: Cameron quotes the Institute for Fiscal Studies' Robert Chote in support of the argument that Labour is planning real cuts.  Brown repeats his line that Tories are the party of cuts and Labour of investment.

12.04pm: Brown says Labour will spend more and the Tories will spend less.  Cameron says Brown looks more and more desperate.  Whether you look at capital and current expenditure there are planned cuts once you've taken into account debt payments, Cameron says.  Brown dodges Cameron's question and says the worst thing about David Cameron is that he is planning to cut expenditure to fund tax cuts for millionaires.

12.02pm: Unbelievably Brown begins by repeating the discredited Mr 10% line.  David Cameron says he thought it referred to Labour's opinion poll rating.  Boom! Boom!

Noon: It's going to be a PMQs full of tributes to the Speaker...

Tim Montgomerie

Jubilant Brown taunts Cameron to say how many "nurses, teachers, doctors, carers and other public servants" would lose their jobs under the Conservatives

VERDICT: It was good to hear David Cameron clearly reject proportional representation at PMQs today and accuse the democratically illegitimate Gordon Brown of attempting to fix the electoral system.  But today's PMQs will be remembered for Labour's accusation that the Conservatives are planning 10% cuts in spending.  An on-form Brown made this claim because of Andrew Lansley's gaffe on this morning's Today programme [CCHQ sources are furious with him].  Although a Conservative spokesman is saying that the 10% figure actually refers to cuts in spending planned by Labour it was a gift to Brown.  A Tory source also tells me that the NHS spending figures used by Brown during PMQs actually mean cuts once inflation has been taken into account.

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.30pm: Clearly enjoying himself, Brown taunts the Conservatives to say  how many "nurses, teachers, doctors, carers and other public servants" will lose their jobs under the Conservatives.

12.25pm: This is the day the Prime Minister says that Andrew Lansley has revealed the real Tory manifesto - 10% cuts in public spending.

12.11pm: In a strong finish David Cameron says a man with no democratic legitimacy, who has been defeated at every opportunity by the British people now wants to fix the electoral system.  Brown replies by taunting Cameron on Andrew Lansley's 10% cuts remarks.  Cameron says the Prime Minister is planning 7% cuts in budgets.  The next election is going to be about Labour's mismanagement of the public finances by Alistair Darling, the Prime Minister's "second preference Chancellor." 

12.10pm: "No plans" doesn't mean anything from Gordon Brown says David Cameron.  He once said he had "no plans" to raise taxation and then raised taxation.  When I say "no plans" I mean "no plans", says Brown.

12.08pm: In a direct answer to a question from timing on a voting system referendum from David Cameron the Prime Minister says he has "no plans" to hold it before a General Election.

12.07pm: David Cameron says one very good argument against PR is that it allows extremists like the BNP to be elected.  After condemning the BNP Brown says he is personally against PR for the House of Commons but is interested in an Alternative Vote system under which the BNP would not win a seat.

12.04pm: David Cameron begins by saying that he is glad to see the Prime Minister back in place.  What electoral system does the Prime Minister support, he says?  The Conservatives support the existing system - always have, in good and bad times for the Conservative Party - as the best way of getting rid of tired, exhausted governments.  Gordon Brown welcomes the first question on policy "for ages" from David Cameron.  He says wait for the statement at 12.30pm.  Cameron replies by saying that he'd have been happy to wait for the statement if it hadn't all been leaked to the press.

12.01pm: In response to a question from Andrew Selous MP Gordon Brown wastes no time to leap on Andrew Lansley's remark about 10% cuts in budgets other than health, education and international development.  [The Tories have attempted an explanation here.]  In an obviously planted question Gerald Kaufman asks about Tory plans to cut housing, policing, transport and so on.

Tim Montgomerie

Cameron condemns "dysfunctionality" of Brown's government after Blears joins Smith in resigning from Cabinet

Verdict: It was obviously a difficult PMQs for Gordon Brown and Cameron performed well but not memorably. Like a footballer, it's harder to impress when the goal is wide open. The goal was scored but noone expected anything less.

Highlights, not verbatim:

12.25pm: Nick Palmer MP urges the Prime Minister to condemn the Conservatives for "57 varities of special outside interests". It is right that Kelly is looking at this, Brown replies.

12.20pm: Speaker hugely indulgent of Sir Peter Tapsell as he asks long-winded question from Tory benches.

12.15pm: Nick Clegg accuses the Government of being in complete meltdown.  Our democracy is in crisis if people fear that noone is in charge.  Britain doesn't have a Government but a void.  Isn't it the case he concludes that the real choice for the British voter is now between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.  [Widespread laughter].

12.13pm: Cameron uses his final question to call on Brown to call an election.  Brown replies by saying there is no substance to the Conservatives.

12.10pm: We know that the Home Secretary is going, we know the Communities Secretary is going, will the Chancellor remain in post, asks Cameron?  Brown dodges the question by defending Labour's economic record and attacking the 'do nothing Tories'.  Cameron asks again.  Brown dodges again.

12.05pm: Noting the resignations of Jacqui Smith and Hazel Blears Cameron asks the Prime Minister to concede that his authority has disappeared. Brown lists the achievements of Jacqui Smith.  If these people are so good why are they resigning, Cameron asks?  Why doesn't Hazel Blears pay a single word of tribute to the Prime Minister?  Michael Martin threatens to suspend the Commons if MPs do not behave [Brown would like that!]. Why doesn't the Prime Minister acknowledge that his government is dysfunctional?  All parties have had difficulties and resignations, Brown replies.  He then pays tribute to Hazel Blears' record.  This is another week, says Brown, when Cameron has not asked about policy.

Noon: Brown is answering questions in between Harriet Harman and Shaun Woodward.  Harman will be decisive in forcing him to go if necessary. Woodward will be a key Brown ally.

Tim Montgomerie

Gordon Brown dismisses David Cameron's calls for a general election at PMQs

Jonathan Isaby's verdict: The Commons was relatively disciplined and orderly in the wake of recent events; David Cameron repeatedly demanded an election and Gordon Brown repeatedly refused to accede to that demand. The Prime Minister looked weak and suggesting that an election would result in a Tory victory was something of an own goal. Definitely a Cameron win.

12.27 Tory MP Stewart Jackson wants grandparents treated with fairness and equity in the legal system; Gordon Brown points to a measure in the Budget which he claims should attract support in this area.

12.20 When youth unemployment is rising, why, asks Tory MP David Lidington, are apprenticeship budgets being cut in his constituency? Brown insists more is being invested in apprenticeships but promises to look at the situation in Aylesbury.

12.15 Clegg does get his supplementary and rejects the idea of an election, saying that "a few new faces with the same old rotten rules" is not enough and seeks fundamental reform of the electoral system.

12.12 Nick Clegg thanks the Speaker for his dignified resignation statement and welcomes news of a statement on the Gurkhas. The expenses issue is just the tip of the iceberg, he says, and asks for reforms of party funding and Whitehall secrecy as part of wide-ranging reforms. Brown says he is looking at various of these issues - and the Speaker forgets to call Clegg's supplementary. 

Cameron and Brown debate expenses at PMQs

A live blog may not be possible today but please leave comments below.

12.45pm: WHAT OTHERS SAID...

"Cameron picked up where he left off yesterday.  He's got the lead on the issue of expenses, and he's not letting go - as evidenced by his suggestion that the communications allowance be scrapped.  Brown looked flustered and weak in response.  His tactic is clear: to paint the Tories as a party which is refusing to "work together" with the Government to "restore trust".  But Brown's committee, committee, committee approach fails to capture the urgent public mood in the way that Cameron's sensible, quickly enactable, measures do." (Pete Hoskin).

"Mr Cameron called for the £10,000 communications allowance to be scrapped saying it was a "waste of money" and said the Boundary Commission should be asked to reduce the size of the House of Commons. Mr Brown said he was trying to build a consensus for reform of expenses. He said the communications allowance had been agreed by the House. But the Tory leader said it was "time to wake up and see what's going on in the country" and accused Mr Brown of failing to show leadership." (Sky News).

"Gordon Brown has backed proposals to see all MPs' expenses receipts put online the moment money is spent." (PoliticsHome).

"Michael Martin put on another poor show, commencing PMQs two minutes late. As Sandra Gidley twittered: "Come on Mr Speaker, it's 23 minutes past and we are only on Question 2". He also had to be prompted by a withering look from Cameron to call for order when Labour backbenchers got rowdy." (Iain Dale).

A painful PMQs for Gordon Brown

Jonathan Isaby's verdict: A painful half hour for Gordon Brown, with a sustained attack from David Cameron, a clutch of Tory backbenchers and Nick Clegg all questioning his authority and judgment, occasionally mocking him, and exploiting divisions within the Government. Gordon Brown may not want to hear it, but he can expect more of the same every week until that general election.

12.25 Iain Duncan Smith raises a specific issue - the Gurkhas. He seeks an assurance that the Government is bound by last week's vote. Brown says this is the first Government giving justice to the Gurkhas etc. and says he will "listen to the voice of the House as expressed last Wednesday" and that the Government will come back to the House with a statement.

12.24 Tory MP Edward Garnier asks if Hazel Blears' complaints were dealt with "in the usual way". Brown again asks why he is not raising serious issues.

12.21 Tory MP Gerald Howarth asks Brown about how the epic project of creating his vision is going - the reason he gave for not calling a general election two years ago. The PM repeats his attack on Tory MPs for not raising specific issues.

12.19 Romford's Tory MP Andrew Rosindell raises the fact that more than twice as many people have signed the online petition calling on him to resign than actually voted for him in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath in 2005. What will be his response, asks Rosindell. Tory MPs should be ashamed of the way they are treating the House of Commons, says Brown.

PMQs

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